Fell off the wagon this morning - major hangover

[ma4t]

Not to make light of people in recovery, but I feel like a recovering alcoholic that fell off the wagon. Today, I was late for class, so I stomped on it. I filled up after school to check my mileage. Sure enough, I was back in the 19 mpg range. Quite a disappointment. I know it's inefficient to go buy 2 or 3 gallons, but I wanted to wipe the slate clean and start over. I just can't believe that up until this week, I used to think 19 mpg was not only normal, there was nothing I could do about it.

Tomorrow is a new day. And still, the driver is the biggest mod I can recommend with absolute confidence. Other stuff I've tried may or may not be helping.

ma4t

[Silveredwings]

Originally Posted by ma4t

And still, the driver is the biggest mod I can recommend with absolute confidence.

It's like aviation: the most dangerous part of an airplane is the pilot.

So...just get back on it and keep trying.

[ma4t]

Wait, I just entered my gas log and I think I might have done my math wrong in the car. I got 19.097 mpg earlier, and I got over 27 mpg now. I will have to come back to this. I'm confusing myself.

Note to self: Never try to do gas log entries while studying for a big test.

[ma4t]

Originally Posted by Silveredwings

It's like aviation: the most dangerous part of an airplane is the pilot.

So...just get back on it and keep trying.

So true! Thanks for the encouragement.

M

[rh77]

Well, I hate to say it, but the diagnosis: turns out you're human.

Most of us lose it now-and-then and just romp on it (especially with a lot of us with backgrounds in racing, or just liking to drive fast).

It's cool that you can admit to it -- I know on long trips (especially with Rental cars), I don't hypermile like I should (especially on long days).

...just rented a Corolla LE auto. (Atlanta-Augusta-Atlanta) Even with speeds of 70+ and city driving, the average FE was 36.x MPG. I have to hypermile the 'Teg like mad to get that.

The best thing to do, is get back on it tomorrow. It takes a lot of patience to hypermile, so don't expect it overnight. In time you'll get it...

RH77

[SL8Brick]

Originally Posted by rh77

Most of us lose it now-and-then and just romp on it (especially with a lot of us with backgrounds in racing, or just liking to drive fast).

guilty as charged. I also find it difficult to keep a light right foot sometimes....but my weekly FE figures are always there to remind me.
Part of my problem is fact that I just like the way the car sounds. I like the music of a low rumble on moderate acceleration and the subtle 'burbling' on decel.. The sound is still there when I go easy on the pedal, but with much less resonance.

[Gary Palmer]

I wonder if their is a sound synthesizer that could be hooked up to the car to give you that audio feedback, even though your driving more econo. That way, maybe you could still get that cool feeling?

[Sludgy]

I try to keep the rpms bolow 2000 in the truck, but sometimes you just have to nail the throttle to merge into traffic, e.g. I HATE to do it because it wrecks the tank.

[bbgobie]

At least your studying for the bar, and not math.

Originally Posted by ma4t

Wait, I just entered my gas log and I think I might have done my math wrong in the car. I got 19.097 mpg earlier, and I got over 27 mpg now. I will have to come back to this. I'm confusing myself.

Note to self: Never try to do gas log entries while studying for the bar.

[brucepick]

Me too. I've been driving faster thinking I could get away with it. I should have known better. When I tanked up today, 250 mi. in two days earned 28.2 mpg, well below my recent average of 31ish.

So, it's back on the horse and do the best I can. If I were willing to ditch Sven I could get something newer that would take a ScanGauge II. However the least expensive car is nearly always the one you own, so that's the situation there. I've really been enjoying getting the most possible fun and mpg out of old Sven.